windows network login problem

[Guest]

I have 3 computers set up in a network through a router. I just used
window's network wizard to set it up. All 3 computers can see each other and
access each other's files.

I have a new 4th computer and I ran the network wizard to add this to the
network. Computer 4 can see and access the files of the other 3 computers.
When I'm on the other computers and double click workstation icon of Computer
4, it asks for Login and Password. The previous 3 computers in the network
didn't require anything of this sort. What happened this time? What can I
do to fix this, so that when accessing workstation of Computer 4, it doesn't
require login?

 

[Malke]

I have 3 computers set up in a network through a router. I just used
window's network wizard to set it up. All 3 computers can see each other and
access each other's files.

I have a new 4th computer and I ran the network wizard to add this to the
network. Computer 4 can see and access the files of the other 3 computers.
When I'm on the other computers and double click workstation icon of Computer
4, it asks for Login and Password. The previous 3 computers in the network
didn't require anything of this sort. What happened this time? What can I
do to fix this, so that when accessing workstation of Computer 4, it doesn't
require login?

You left out which versions of XP all the computers are running. If one
or more of the computers is XP Pro or Media Center:

1. If you need Pro's ability to set fine-grained permissions, turn off
Simple File Sharing (Folder Options>View tab) and create identical user
accounts/passwords on all computers.

2. If you don't care about using Pro's advanced features, leave the
Simple File Sharing enabled.

Simple File Sharing means that Guest (network) is enabled. This means
that anyone without a user account on the target system can use its
resources. This is a security hole but only you can decide if it matters
in your situation.

3. If this doesn't solve your issue, create identical user
accounts/passwords on all 4 machines. You can set the machine to login
directly to the Desktop (into one particular user's account) for
convenience if you like.

Configure Windows to Automatically Login (MVP Ramesh) -
http://windowsxp.mvps.org/Autologon.htm


Malke

 

[Guest]

All 4 machines are on XP PRO.

Last night, I enabled Simple File Sharing on Computer 4. It still displayed
the login box when I double clicked the workstation icon of Computer 4. The
only difference would be the user name was grayed out as "Computer 4\GUEST"
and it still required a password. I don't understand why this never happened
when I set up network with the previous 3 computers which all ran XP PRO as
well.

 

[Malke]

All 4 machines are on XP PRO.

Last night, I enabled Simple File Sharing on Computer 4. It still displayed
the login box when I double clicked the workstation icon of Computer 4. The
only difference would be the user name was grayed out as "Computer 4\GUEST"
and it still required a password. I don't understand why this never happened
when I set up network with the previous 3 computers which all ran XP PRO as
well.

1. Disable the Guest account.
2. Disable Simple File Sharing.
3. Create identical user accounts/passwords on all machines. You do not
need to be logged into the same user account on each machine to share
files; the user accounts/passwords must just exist.

I don't know why this one is different because I can't see your
computers but if you do the above you will be able to share files/printers.


Malke

 

[Guest]

Malu, I'm having the same problem. The only deviation of what I've done from
what Malke recommended is that I changed the user name to match the other
machine rather than create a new account to match the name. (I do not want
multiple accounts on that computer.) Changing the name did not help.

Another computer already has account names that match but I still get the
login prompt with \Guest grayed out. (All my machines are XP Home.)

Malke, should I delete all accounts (after saving favorites and files
someplace for restoration later) and start over?

 

[Malke]

Malu, I'm having the same problem. The only deviation of what I've done from
what Malke recommended is that I changed the user name to match the other
machine rather than create a new account to match the name. (I do not want
multiple accounts on that computer.) Changing the name did not help.

Another computer already has account names that match but I still get the
login prompt with \Guest grayed out. (All my machines are XP Home.)

Malke, should I delete all accounts (after saving favorites and files
someplace for restoration later) and start over?

No. Once again, you cannot simply rename a user account. This does not
change any of the underlying files/folders. Create a new account that
matches the user on the other machine. There is no reason *not* to have
additional user accounts. You do not have to use them, they will not
slow your computer down, if you don't use them they will take up very
little room, and you can set your computer to automatically log into the
desired account for convenience. This will have the effect of taking you
directly to that user's Desktop.

Configure Windows to Automatically Login (MVP Ramesh) -
http://windowsxp.mvps.org/Autologon.htm


Malke

 

[Guest]

OK, I created two new accounts. One matches the name of the original account
as currently set. The other matches the folder name corresponding to the
original account. (I already had an account that matches one of the other
accounts on the to-be-shared computer.)

None of this helps. But I did not reboot anything. Is a reboot required
after creating new accounts?